Key Stage 2

What is Key Stage 2?

In the four years that children are in Key Stage 2 (7-11 years of age) they experience a rich and varied curriculum. The year groups are organised into Year 3 (7-8 years old), Year 4 (8-9 years old), Year 5 (9-10 years old) and Year 6 (10-11 years old). Children’s development is characterised by an increasing level of independence and alongside the acquisition of essential skills, knowledge and understanding of how to learn, their attitudes and personal development are also central aspects.

How is the curriculum delivered in Key Stage 2?

Each of the four year-groups follows the National Curriculum. The four ‘core’ subject areas are Computing, Mathematics, English and Science. Alongside these are a number of ‘Foundation’ subjects.

These subjects include; Geography, History, Art, Design Technology (DT), Ivrit, Music, Physical Education (PE) and Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE). Children are taught all subjects through a combination of cross-curricular studies and individual subjects. This ensures ample opportunities to teach essential content discretely and directly whilst also giving scope for children to make links between subjects. The diverse experiences offered to children ensure that children in Key Stage 2 value and enjoy their learning.

Some of the highlights in Key Stage 2 include special ‘topic theme days’ such as ‘Roman Day’ in Year 3 and ‘Tudor Day’ in Year 4. In addition, year groups are flexible in their curriculum delivery, often focusing on specific aspects of the curriculum for a short time, giving rise to events such as ‘Science Weeks’ or ‘Design Technology Days’. Years 5 and 6 also all undertake overnight residential trips in support of the curriculum as well as making use of the services and opportunities available within the local community. Year 6 spend two nights on the Shabbaton, which reinforces their learning about Jewish Living and allows the children to reinforce friendships.

All children in the Key Stage are taught some subjects by specialist teachers rather than the class teacher. In addition to Music and the comprehensive Physical Education curriculum, a focus of Key Stage 2 is given to the acquisition of an additional language to ensure that children are able to achieve progression over four years in line with the expectations of the Key Stage 2 Framework for Languages. At HJPS, the children learn Ivrit.

Throughout the year pupils in Key Stage 2 take part in a variety of shows and assemblies. This gives the children the opportunity to showcase work they have been covering in class and to perform in front of an audience, whilst also supporting the school focus on performing arts.

Teacher/Parent partnership

Emphasis is placed on teachers and parents working together in partnership to address the individual needs of each child; this is actively encouraged through the use of the children’s diaries and regular meetings. Personalised learning programmes together with structured and systematic assessment systems and excellent communication with parents, all help to contribute to the success of our children in Key Stage 2.

Preparation for Key Stage 3

The programme offered in Key Stage 2 helps shape the children into more independent learners and prepares children well for the rigours of Key Stage 3 and the transition to secondary school. Teachers in Year 6 work closely with their colleagues in secondary schools to ensure the transition is smooth and to ensure the children are well prepared for the next stage of their education.

Throughout Key Stage 2, children continue to develop the areas of learning featured in Key Stage 1. In addition, following the ceremonial presentation of a Chumash in Year 3, children develop the textual analysis skills that are required for the study of Chumash. Each year, they focus on a different portion of the Torah and through the analysis of Rashi and other commentaries, become independent learners. This is aided by a carefully developed, systematic programme in Hebrew grammar and vocabulary that is sustained throughout this Key Stage.

In Year 6, children are introduced to the important role of the Oral Torah through learning selected passages from the Mishnah.